Report and verdict on Southampton's 2013-14 season, including best and worst
moments, results, stats, transfers, quotes and players

VerdictSouthampton’s bestPremier League season and their highest points tally. It was also achieved by playing attractive football and giving young players their chance.

Best moment The selection of four Saints players in the England squad that faced Denmark in March. Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw were both products of the club’s academy while Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez showed how established players can also dramatically improve themselves with support.

Worst moment The FA Cup fifth round defeat at Sunderland. With the club performing so strongly in the Premier League, Mauricio Pochettino disappointed just about the entire fan-base by not selecting his strongest team when only two wins away from Wembley.

Player of the year Lallana’s touch, guile and versatility have helped provide the creative quality that, allied to the team’s work ethic, has made Southampton such a threat.

Transfers rated 5/10 The club record £14.6-million deal for Dani Osvaldo was nothing short of a disaster – and ended with him being loaned to Juventus following a training ground clash with Jose Fonte. Dejan Lovren, at £8.5m, has provided value for money while Victor Wanyama has added solidity and options to the midfield but was overpriced at £12.5m.

Best quote “We don’t want to be judged by the young, handsome players that we have. We can be ****holes as well.” Pochettino gets tough.

This summer they must... Try to maintain momentum and keep key personnel in the face of interest from others. Tottenham might make an approach for Pochettino, while stars Lallana and Shaw are targets of Liverpool and Manchester United, respectively.